Retired Department of Health employee and Rensselaer resident Robert Pagini, 57, has admitted to stealing more than $16,000 worth of postage from his workplace for both his eBay rare coin business and personal use. His postage abuse began in 2004 and continued until his retirement in January 2010.

He pleaded guilty to fourth-degree larceny in Rensselaer County court. He must make full restitution to the state of the more than $16,000, and can never again work for a government agency.

“He abused the public trust and this case once again reinforces the need to do everything we can to bring honesty and integrity back to government,” Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said in a press release about the situation. That line could almost come from a campaign speech. …oh. Right.

How did the Inspector General verify Pagini’s personal use of the state’s postage? Some good old-fashioned mystery shopping.

As part of the investigation, the New York State Inspector General’s
Office purchased two coins; an 1882-O $1 Morgan Silver Dollar, and a
1988 $1 Canada Silver Saint-Maurice Ironworks Proof from Pagini through
eBay. When the coins arrived, the envelopes bore postage meter strips
which belonged to the Department of Health’s account.

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